Universal apparatus for the inspection, transportation, and storage of large shell structures

ABSTRACT

An apparatus for holding an aerospace structure, having an edge and a surface, includes a base. Coupled to the base is an edge support adapted to releasably engage the edge of the structure. Also coupled to the base is a stanchion. Moveably coupled to the stanchion is a surface support adapted to support the surface of the structure when the edge of the structure is retained by the edge support.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates generally to holding apparatuses and, moreparticularly, to a universal apparatus for inspection, transportation,and storage of large shell structures.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

There is a constant need for versatile holding apparatuses requiring aminimum amount of moving around of parts for inspection. Many companies,such those in the aircraft industry, have precious little room forinspection, transportation, and storage of large shell structures orparts. Further, large parts must be held in orientations allowing themto be inspected while not interfering with data collection.

A variety of large holding apparatuses, such as base support, base-only,and framed apparatuses, have been designed to hold various parts.However, Base support type apparatuses generally cannot hold parts inorientations required for through-transmission ultrasonic testing (witha scanning head on both sides of the part). Further, base-only typeapparatuses (where part sits on a base) are limited for holding parts inproper orientations for inspection. Base-only apparatuses also cannothold extremely large parts so that they fit in some scanners. Stillfurther, framed apparatus designs are generally heavy structures thatoften extremely difficult to move. This may be problematic because partsmust be moved for scanning and maintenance. It is also expensive tobuild a framed structure that is stiff enough for holding airplaneparts.

Current apparatuses are typically not universal, and one apparatus willgenerally only work for one particular part. So, additional apparatusesare built, at much greater cost. Efforts to universalize framed toolinghave generally produced even more complicated and expensive apparatuses.

There exists, therefore, a need for relatively light and inexpensiveuniversal holding apparatuses. Further, there exists a need for mobileholding apparatuses for building, using, storing, and maintainingairplane parts.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In accordance with one embodiment of the present invention, an apparatusfor holding an aerospace structure, having an edge and a surface,includes a base. Coupled to the base is an edge support adapted toreleasably engage the edge of the structure. Also coupled to the base isa stanchion. Moveably coupled to the stanchion is a surface supportadapted to support the surface of the structure when the edge of thestructure is retained by the edge support.

In accordance with another embodiment of the present invention, anapparatus for holding includes a base having a plurality of wheelscoupled thereto. Mounted thereon is an edge support and a stanchion suchthat a part may be held by the edge support and the stanchion. The baseincludes a top, a bottom, a common edge, a stanchion side of the top, amiddle portion of the top, and an edge support side of the top. Coupledto the common edge are the plurality of wheels. Coupled to the edgesupport side is the edge support, and coupled to the stanchion side isthe stanchion. At least one of the stanchion or the edge support moveson tracks on the top such that the edge support and the stanchion aremovable with respect to each other.

One advantage of the present invention is that it holds a variety oflarge shell structures, including half-cylinders, cones, and domes ofvarious sizes and is not limited to a single part or type of part.

The present invention also facilitates transportation and storage forthe structures and the apparatus itself. Unlike previous holdingapparatuses, the present apparatus is small and lightweight while stillholding very large parts in optimal orientations for automatedinspection.

Another advantage of the present invention is that it requires nosupport or frame structure that will get in the way of scanning, so theairplane part does not have to be moved multiple times.

It is still another advantage of the present invention that theapparatus is low cost compared to other single part and universalapproaches. In other words, one apparatus will work for many differentparts, so other apparatuses do not need to be designed, built, andstored.

Additional advantages and features of the present invention will becomeapparent from the description that follows and may be realized by theinstrumentalities and combinations particularly pointed out in theappended claims, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

For a complete understanding of the invention, there will now bedescribed some embodiments thereof, given by way of example, referencebeing made to the accompanying drawings, in which.

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an apparatus in accordance with oneembodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a side view of the apparatus of FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is a top view of the apparatus of FIG. 1.

FIG. 4 is a side view of the apparatus of FIG. 1 holding a portion of anairplane.

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of a plurality of apparatuses arranged on atrack.

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of the plurality of apparatuses of FIG. 5holding a portion of an airplane.

FIG. 7 is a side view of the plurality of apparatuses of FIG. 6.

FIG. 8 is a perspective view of an apparatus in accordance with anotherembodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 9 is a perspective view of an apparatus in accordance with anotherembodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 10 is a perspective view of an apparatus in accordance with anotherembodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 11 is a perspective view of a pair of apparatus as in FIG. 8.

FIG. 12 is a perspective view the apparatus of FIG. 111 holding aportion of an airplane.

FIG. 13 is a perspective view of an apparatus for holding a planarstructure in accordance with another embodiment of the presentinvention.

FIG. 14 is a perspective view of the apparatus of FIG. 13 holding theplanar structure of FIG. 13 in a different position.

FIG. 15 is a perspective view of apparatus of FIGS. 13 and 14illustrating versatility of use with a highly contoured structure.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The present invention is illustrated with respect to a low costuniversal apparatus 10, herein also referred to as a holding apparatus,for holding an aerospace structure that will allow for non-destructiveinspection of a variety of large composite shell structures and that isparticularly suited to the aerospace field. The present invention is,however, applicable to various other uses that may require holdingapparatuses, as will be understood by one skilled in the art. In each ofthe following figures, the same reference numerals are used to refer tothe same components.

Referring to FIGS. 1-4, an apparatus 10 for the holding, inspection,transportation, and storage of large shell aerospace structures 12 isillustrated in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention.The holding apparatus 10 includes a rectangular base 14 or surfacehaving a plurality of wheels 16 coupled thereto. Mounted on the base 14are an edge support 18 (here embodied as a clip) and a stanchion 20,such that an aerospace structure 12 may be held by the edge support 18and stanchion 20. The aerospace structure 12 may include any componentof an airplane or spacecraft requiring movement, scanning, ortransportation, as will be understood by one skilled in the art.

The base 14 includes a top 22, a bottom 24, a common edge 26, astanchion side 28 (second holder portion) of the top 22, a middleportion 30 of the top 22, and an edge support side 32 (first holderportion) of the top 22. Coupled to the common edge 26 are the pluralityof wheels 16, and one skilled in the art would realize that numerouscombinations of wheels coupled to various portions of the common edge 26are included in the present invention. Coupled to the edge support side32 is the edge support 18, and coupled to the stanchion side 28 is thestanchion 20. At least one of the stanchion 20 or the edge support 18moves on tracks 34 on the top 22 such that at least one of or both ofthe edge support 18 and the stanchion 20 are movable with respect toeach other.

Generally, movement of the edge support 18 or first holder is controlledby a first crank 35, and movement of the stanchion 20 is controlled bythe second crank 36. When a user operates either of the cranks 35, 36,one of the stanchion 20 or the edge support 18 moves along tracks 34such that an airplane part may be locked in place between the edgesupport 18 and stanchion 20. Because the edge support 18 and stanchion20 each rest on linear bearings or tracks 34 and have positionsadjustable over a large range, they may provide support for a variety ofshaped and sized structures.

The edge support 18 is coupled to the top 22 at the edge support side 32thereof. The edge support 18 includes a stand 40 and a top 42 extendingtowards the stanchion side 28. The edge support 18 also includes abottom edge support portion 44, such that a part may be held between thebottom edge support portion 44 and an overhanging portion or overhang 46of the top 42. In other words, a bottom portion of the part contacts thebottom edge support portion 44 and an upper portion of the part contactsthe overhang 46 of the top 42, as illustrated in FIGS. 3 and 4. The edgesupport 18 releasably engages, is adapted to support, or is adapted tonon-fixedly engage the aerospace structure. In other words, the edgesupport 18 can be anything that holds, clips, stops movement of, orsecures the edge of the structure.

The stanchion 20, in accordance with one embodiment of the presentinvention, is moveably coupled to the top 22 of the base 14 and may becontrolled by the crank 36. The stanchion includes a tower 50 and asurface support 52 or second holder coupled to an upper portion 54thereof. The surface support 52 is either pivotally or fixedly coupledto the tower 50 and is angled with respect to the base 14 foraccommodating various airplane parts. The surface support 52 includes anupper roller 56 (first roller) and a lower roller 58 (second roller).The rollers 56, 58 may include a foam material, rubber material, metalmaterial or any other material known in the art, and may roll or befixedly coupled to the surface support 52.

Referring to FIGS. 5-7, a system 60 for holding an airplane part isillustrated in accordance with another embodiment of the presentinvention. The system 60 includes plurality of holding apparatuses 62,64, 66 (first, second, third holding apparatuses respectively) havingcomponents similar to the holding apparatuses illustrated in FIGS. 1-4.Each of the holding apparatuses 62, 64, 66 includes an edge support 68,70, 72 respectively and a stanchion 74, 76, 78 respectively. Theapparatuses 62, 64, 66 are positioned on a track 80 along a warehousefloor 82 such that the apparatuses 62, 64, 66 are movable along thetrack 80 for positioning for optimal support of an airplane part. Anairplane part 84 thereby edge supports into the edge support 68, 70, 72and is supported by the stanchion 74, 76, 78, and any of the stanchionsor edge supports 68, 70, 72 may be moved for securing the airplane part84.

The present invention may include wheels coupled to the holdingapparatuses 62, 64, 66 so they can be rolled off the track 80 and ontothe warehouse floor surface for moving or storage.

Referring to FIG. 8, a holding apparatus or apparatus for holding 90, inaccordance with another embodiment of the present invention, isillustrated. The apparatus for holding 90 includes a base 92 having aplurality of wheels 94 coupled thereto; and coupled to an upper surface96 thereof is an edge support 98 and a stanchion 100. The stanchion 100swivels on the base 92 while the edge support 98 is fixed in place. Theedge support 98, however, may also move toward the stanchion 100, andthe stanchion 100 may also move towards the edge support 98 as afunction of control of at least one crank 104 (only one is shown, butmultiple cranks may be used) coupled to the base 92. The stanchion 100includes the plurality of wheels 106 coupled to an upper portion 101thereof instead of rollers as discussed regarding FIG. 1.

Referring to FIG. 9, an alternate embodiment of the present invention isillustrated including an apparatus 110 holding an airplane part 112. Aswith the previously discussed holding apparatus, the apparatus 110includes a base 114, an edge support 116, and a stanchion 118. Thestanchion 118 and edge support 116 are moved via cranks 120 for securingthe airplane part 112. The stanchion 118 may swivel with respect to theedge support 116 or may be fixed relative thereto. The stanchion 118includes a tower 119 coupled to the base 114 and a holder 122 having asurface support 124 contacting the airplane part 112. The surface 124may be flat, tailored to the part 112, or may include a radius ofcurvature optimal for holding a variety of parts.

Referring to FIG. 10, a holding apparatus 130, in accordance withanother embodiment of the present invention, illustrated. The holdingapparatus 130 includes a base 132 coupled to a floor frame 134 forpositioning the apparatus 130. The apparatus 130 may be on wheels foraiding in positioning and transporting of airplane parts. Unlike thepreviously discussed embodiments, the holding apparatus 130 includes aflexible belt 136 or strap extending from a first side 138 of the base132 to a second side 140 of the base 132. The holding apparatus 130 alsoincludes a stanchion 139 such that the belt 136 is higher on the secondside 140 than it is on the first side 138. The belt 136 may be tightenedby a crank 144 positioned on the stanchion 139. The belts 136 can beadjusted or tightened to hold a wide variety of structures withoutproviding any concentrated loads, which may be harmful to particularlyfragile parts.

Referring to FIGS. 11 and 12, an alternate embodiment of the presentinvention is illustrated including a pair of apparatuses 160. Theapparatuses 160 (first holding apparatus 162 and second holdingapparatus 164) include pivoting stanchions 166 and 168 such that anairplane component 170 having a spherical surface may be held withoutrequiring a special holding apparatus tailored to the part. Both thefirst holding apparatus 162 and the second holding apparatus 164 includea base, first base 165 and second base 167, and an edge support stopper,first stopper 169 and second stopper 171, coupled to the base, and astanchion, first stanchion 173 and second stanchion 175, pivotallycoupled to the base. The stanchions 173, 175 each include mounts, firstmount 193 and second mount 195, coupled to an upper stanchion portion(upper stanchion portion 197 for the first stanchion 173 and upperstanchion portion 199 for the second stanchion 175).

The stopper 169 and stanchion 173 may move closer to one another throughcranks (first crank 177 and second crank 179 for the first holdingapparatus 162 and third crank 181 and fourth crank 183 for the secondholding apparatus 164), and may move along tracks positioned on thebase. Unlike clip edge support discussed regarding previous embodiments,the present stopper edge support generally does not have an overhang,rather it includes a portion extending upward such that sphericalsurfaces, as illustrated in FIG. 12, may be prevented from sliding offthe holding apparatuses and may be supported by the stoppers 169, 171and the stanchions 173, 175. Important to note is that the stoppers 169,171 provide weight for preventing roll of the holding apparatuses. Theymay or may not have an edge support for preventing an edge 185 of theairplane part from sliding out.

Referring to FIGS. 13 through 15, an alternate embodiment of the presentinvention is illustrated including a pair of holding apparatuses 180,182. The holding apparatuses 180, 182 include stanchions 184, 186pivotally coupled to bases 188, 190 and, rather than including wheels orrollers on the stanchions 184, 186, include holding arms 192, 194, whichrotate relative to the respective stanchion 184, 186. The arms 192, 194include clasps 198, 200 for clasping a sheet of airplane material 202.The clasps 198, 200 extend from the arms 192, 194 and may be tightenedthrough a vise arrangement or clamp arrangement, as will be understoodas one skilled in the art. The arms 192, 194 may rotate as illustratedin FIG. 14 and may be positioned at any angle relative to the stanchions184, 186, such that unusually shaped parts 210, as illustrated in FIG.15, may be held without requiring additional holding apparatuses.

The present invention holds large composite structures in a properorientation for non-destructive inspection while minimizing floor spacerequirements and maximizing part or holding apparatus accessibility.Specifically, it can be used to insert, orient, inspect, and removethese parts from a multi-axis ultrasonic inspection scanner. The presentinvention allows large shell structures to be held in place through anadjustable base. Contact points (foam pad, belt, roller, or wheelassembly) adjust to the curvature of the surface of the airplane partsto provide uniformly loaded support.

From the foregoing, it can be seen that there has been brought to theart a new holding apparatus. It is to be understood that the precedingdescription of one embodiment of the present invention is merelyillustrative of some of the many specific embodiments that representapplications of the principals of the present invention. Numerous andother arrangements would be evident to those skilled in the art withoutdeparting from the scope of the invention as defined by the followingclaims.

1. An apparatus for holding an aerospace structure having an edge and asurface, the apparatus comprising: a base; an edge support coupled tothe base and adapted to releasably engage the edge of the structure,said edge support being substantially parallel to said base; a stanchionhaving a first end and a second end, and being movably coupled to saidbase at said first end, said stanchion being substantially perpendicularto said edge support and said base; a surface support movably coupled tosaid second end of said stanchion and adapted to support the surface ofthe structure when the edge of the structure is retained by said edgesupport; at least one track for moving at least one of said edge supportand said stanchion; and a first crank for moving said edge support alongsaid track.
 2. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said edge support ismovably mounted to said base.
 3. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein saidsurface support is pivotally mounted to said stanchion.
 4. The apparatusof claim 1 wherein said edge support comprises at least one of a clipand a stopper.
 5. The apparatus of claim 1 further comprising a secondcrank for moving said stanchion along said track.
 6. The apparatus ofclaim 1 wherein said surface support comprises an arm rotating on anaxis orthogonal to said stanchion.
 7. An apparatus for holding anaerospace structure having an edge and a surface, the apparatuscomprising: a base; an edge support coupled to the base and adapted toreleasably engage the edge of the structure, said edge support beingsubstantially parallel to said base; a stanchion having a first end anda second end, and being movably coupled to said base at said first end,said stanchion being substantially perpendicular to said edge supportand said base; and a surface support movably coupled to said second endof said stanchion and adapted to support the surface of the structurewhen the edge of the structure is retained by said edge support, whereinsaid surface support comprises an arm rotating on an axis orthogonal tosaid stanchion.
 8. The apparatus of claim 7 wherein said edge support ismovably mounted to said base.
 9. The apparatus of claim 7 wherein saidsurface support is pivotally mounted to said stanchion.
 10. Theapparatus of claim 7 wherein said edge support comprises at least one ofa clip and a stopper.
 11. The apparatus of claim 7 further comprising atleast one track for moving at least one of said edge support and saidstanchion.